Method and apparatus for forming an insulated electrical connection

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for forming an insulated electrical connection. An electrical terminal having an open U-shaped ferrule-forming portion is fed to a first crimping station. The stripped end of an insulated electrical conductor is inserted into the ferrule-forming portion and the terminal is crimped to the conductor. An open U-shaped insulating member is fed to a second crimping station. The terminal and conductor previously joined are transferred to the second crimping station in overlying relationship with the insulating member. The insulating member is then crimped around the terminal and conductor.

I Umted States Patent [151 3,664,21 8

Lau et al. [4 23, 1972 [54] METHOD AND APPTUS FOR 3,164,861 1/1965 Monroe et a]. ..l8/5 E FORIVIING AN INSULATED 1,050,436 1/1913 Edison ..83/1 12 ELECTRICAL CONNECTION Primary Examiner-Andrew R. J uhasz [72] Inventors: Ralph Rupp Lau, Harrisburg, Pa; Gilbert Asst-slam u Gilden Carl Rlchardson, F- AttomeyCurtis, Morris and Safford, Marshall M. l-lolcombe, 73 Assigneez Awhcorporated Harrisburg Pa. William Hintze, William J. Keating, Frederick w. Raring,

John R. Hopkins, Adrian J. La Rue and Jay L. Seitchik [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,060 ABSTRACT An apparatus is provided for forming an insulated electrical R In .S. ta 8 U Application Da connection. An electrical terminal having an open U-shaped [62] D1v|s|on of Ser. No. 489,558, Sept. 23, 1965, Pat. No. f f i portion is f d to a fi t crimping Station The 31386, H v stripped end of an insulated electrical conductor is inserted into the ferrule-forming portion and the terminal is crimped to ..83/81, 83/1 the conductor An open U Shaped insulating member is fed to l 58] Field s 130 160 a second crimping station. The terminal and conductor previ- 29I63OA, l8/5 ously joined are transferred to the second crimping station in overlying relationship with the insulating member. The insu- [56] References Cited lating member is then crimped around the terminal and conductor. UNITED STATES PATENTS 2C 11D m laum wing gures 3,009,197 11/1961 Hahn ..29/630 A '12 1 1 308 l h 1 l1 I O6 166 3 I 1 no 6 295 166 q 3oz leu 296 29w 1 I62 Z96 82 292 E B 288 Q "A 236 28L |go an 255250 2" D 290 262 an nu m 5% "we-"- m l 214 1 i [an {25 I I 315 31 a m 311 59 122 H 116 0 98 m 252 A 21m I21} 16 "I118 280 1 z n Z -l: -1--- 11 I I m h 126 \\o 23 PATENTEDmza 1972 3564.218

SHEET 2 BF 6 PATENTEDMAY 23 |972 SHEET 3 UF 6 PATENTED MAY 2 3 I972 SHEEI 5 UP 6 PATENTED MAY 23 1972 SHEET 8 OF 6 NdM 1mm l1,

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING AN INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION This application is a division of our prior copending application Ser. No. 489,558, filed Sept. 23, 1965.

In the electrical connection field there have been numerous attempts to pre-insulate an electrical terminal wherein both the terminal ferrule and the insulating member are of open U- shaped configuration. Most such attempts, prior to this invention, have been unsuccessful for various reasons, some of which will become apparent as this discussion proceeds.

At present, when it is desired to pre-insulate a terminal having an open U-shaped ferrule-forming portion, it is the practice to take such a terminal and secure thereto a strip of insulating material. The terminal, with the insulating material thus secured, is then placed between the jaws of a crimping tool. An electrical conductor is then inserted into the space formed by the open U, and the jaws of the crimping tool are then closed so as to'accomplish in one operation the crimping of both the terminal and the insulating member to the electrical conductor. The force exerted by the crimping tool is carried through the insulating member to the terminal, this being necessary because the terminal does not come into direct contact with the crimping tool. Examples of this type of operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,786,191, granted to W. F. Broske, U.S. Pat. No. 2,845,606, granted to G. A. Fuller, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,650, granted to .l. W. Allen et a].

The present invention provides several distinct advantages over the prior art above referred to. In the prior art devices the pressure applied during the crimping operation must be held within close limits. The pressure must be great enough to accomplish an effective crimp of the ferrule to the conductor but at the same time the pressure must be held below that point which would cause rupturing of the relatively fragile insulating material. This problem is avoided by the present invention wherein the crimping of the insulating member is accomplished in a separate operation from the crimping of the ferrule, thereby permitting relatively high pressure during the ferrule crimping operation and relatively low pressure during the insulating member crimping operation. Further, as Will become apparent, the two stage operation of the present invention is accomplished with no loss of time as compared with the single stage operation of the prior known devices.

In the single stage operation there is a limited number of materials which can be used for the insulating material because such material must be capable of withstanding high crimping pressure without rupturing and the material must be capable of transmitting the forces from the crimping tool to the ferrule. In the present invention these properties need not be possessed by the insulating material, the only essential requirement being that the material is an electrical insulator.

Another drawback of the known devices is that the terminals must be specially constructed and adapted to receive the insulating member. In contrast the present invention is designed for use with standard presently available terminals.

Also, the prior known devices require a step of securing the insulating material to the terminal prior to the crimping operation. This step is not necessary in practicing the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for forming an insulated electrical connection while avoiding the drawbacks of the known devices above referred to.

Another object is to provide for the pre-insulating of standard terminals.

A further object is to provide a method and apparatus for forming an insulated electrical connection utilizing high crimping pressure on the terminal ferrule and low crimping pressure on the insulating member.

A still further object is to provide a machine and method for performing two diverse crimping operations in the same time as now required for a single crimping operation.

Other objects and attainments of the present invention will.

become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which there is shown and described an illustrative embodiment of the invention; it is to be understood, however, that this embodiment is not intended to be exhaustive nor limiting of the invention but is given for purpose of illustration in order that others skilled in the art may fully understand the invention and the principles thereof and the manner of applying it in practical use so that they may modify it in various forms, each as may be best suited to the conditions of a particular use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the apparatus forming a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section and taken along line 22 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section and taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the ram in its lowered position;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the crimping heads and movable shear blades as seen when looking along line 6 6 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7-is a sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6 and showing the adjustment means for one of the crimping heads;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the movable shear assembly;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the insulation strip feed assembly;

FIG. 10 is a fluid flow diagram showing schematically the power system of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the completed electrical connection made in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 the apparatus comprises a first crimping and shearing station A, a second crimping and shearing station B, a terminal feed assembly C, an insulation feed assembly D, and a transfer assembly E. Briefly stated, the operation is such that a strip of electrical terminals is fed by assembly C to station A. An electrical conductor is positioned at station A above the terminal at the lead end of the strip. The parts are then crimped and the terminal is severed from its strip. A strip of insulating members is fed by assembly D to station B. Assembly E transfers the crimped terminal and conductor from station A to station B in a position above the insu- Iating member at the lead end of the strip. The insulating member is then severed from its strip and crimped to the terminal and conductor thus forming a completed insulated electrical connection.

The various parts and operation of the device will now be described in detail.

The terminal feed assembly C is best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. To the frame 20 of the machine is secured a mounting plate 22. An L-shaped bracket 24 is secured to plate 22 and carries thereon a spacing block 26 secured to bracket 24 by means of a screw 28. Secured to block 26, by means of set screws (not shown) is a plate 30 along the upper surface of which the strip of terminals will slide. A pair of guide members 32 and 34 are secured to plate 30 by means of four screws 36, only two of which are shown. These guide members, together with plate 30, form a channel 37 to define the path of movement of the terminal strip. Secured to guide member 34 by means of one of the screws 36 is a bracket 38 for suspending the upper portion of the feed assembly. A double-acting fluid cylinder 40 is secured to bracket 38 and carries at its rear portion a bracket 42 to which is secured the terminal strip guide 44. The guide 44 functions to lead the strip into channel 37 from a supply source (not shown). The cylinder 40 has a piston member 46 which adjustably carries a stop member 48 for limiting the retracting motion of the piston. The stop 48 has a bifurcated end 50 which slides along a rod member 52 secured to a bracket 38. The rod 52 serves to prevent any rotative movement of piston 46. A forked member 54 is adjustably secured to piston 46 and is held in adjusted position by a nut 56.'The forked ends of member 54 receive a pin 58 which pivotally supports a feed finger 60. The finger 60 is biased into engagement with the upper surface of guide members 32 and 34 by means of a spring 62 wrapped around pin 58. A strip of terminals 64, made up of individual terminals 66, 68, 70 is positioned in channel 37 and is fed therealong by engagement of the feed finger 60 with the upstanding barrel portion of the terminal, as best seen in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows finger 60 at the forward end of its stroke after having advanced terminal 66 into position at station A. FIG. 4 shows finger 60 at the rearward end of its stroke moving into position behind the barrel of terminal 70 to thereby move terminal 68 into position at station A upon the next forward stroke of finger 60.

At the forward end of feed assembly C is the crimping and cutting station A which will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. A ram 72, driven by suitable means, not shown, has at its end a mounting block 74 formed integrally with said ram. Secured to block 74 by means of a bolt 76 and lock nuts 78 is a first crimping head 80. Also held in place by bolt 76 and nuts 78 is a shear blade 82. The blade 82 has a lower cutting surface 84 and a recessed portion 86. The upper surface of blade 82 is relieved at 88 (see FIG. 6) to permit limited pivotal movement of the blade about bolt 76. The blade is normally biased into a vertical position by means of a leaf spring 90 secured to block 74 by set screws 92 and 94. Secured to plate 22 is a first crimping die 96 for cooperation with crimping head 80. Adjacent to die 96 is a fixed shear member 98. A second fixed shear member 100 is spaced from member 98 by a pair of spacers 102, one of which is shown, and as shown in FIG. 4 the shear blade 82 moves between members 98 and 100 to sever the leading terminal from the strip. The shear face of member 100 is recessed at its lower end as indicated at 104 to provide clearance for the material severed from the terminal strip. Also the bracket 24 has a central groove 106 permitting the discharge of the severed material 108, see FIG. 4.

The insulating member feed assembly D will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 8 and 9. A U-shaped block 110 is secured to plate 22. A pair of gibs 112 and 114 are positioned in parallel relationship on the upper surface of a guide plate 116. The gibs 112, and 114, the plate 116, and the block 110 are secured together by a pair of set screws 118. A double-acting fluid cylinder 120 is secured to plate 116 by a mounting block 122. The piston 124 of cylinder 120 is provided with a threaded portion 126 to adjustably hold a fork member 128. A nut 130 secures member 128 in adjusted position. A feed finger 132 is pivotally secured to member 128 by pin 134. Encircling pin 134 is a spring 136 which biases finger 132 counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 3. Finger 132 is provided at its end with a pair of lugs 138 which ride in slots 140 in plate 116. The lugs 138 will engage cross pieces 142 on the insulation strip to feed the insulating members to station B. Flanges 144 on gibs 1 12 and l 14 overlie the slots 140 to maintain pieces 142 in engagement with lugs 138. The gibs 112 and 114 are further provided with diagonal slots 146 within which are located spring strips 148 secured to the gibs by screws 150. The strips 148 prevent retrograde movement of the insulation strip upon retraction of feed finger 132. A typical insulation strip is shown in FIG. 8 and indicated generally at 152. The strip 152 is of ladder configuration and consists of U-shaped insulating members 154, 156, 158 secured by the cross pieces 142 to carrier strips 160. If the material of which the insulating members are made is sufficiently rigid only one carrier strip need by used. In such case only one of the lugs 138 of feed finger 132 will be used.

Crimping and severing station B is best shown in FIG. 1, 3 and 8. A second crimping head 162 is secured to block 74 adjacent to the first crimping head 80. The head 162 performs the crimp on the insulating member. Since the material of the insulating members may vary, different crimping pressures are sometimes desired. The crimping pressure is controlled by the spacing between the movable crimping head and the fixed crimping die. To allow for varying the spacing of the crimping tools, head 162 is secured to block 74 by a screw 164 extending through an elongated slot 166 in head 162 (see FIG. 7). A wedge 168 is movable in block 74 by a screw 170 and contacts the tapered upper surface 172 of crimping head 162. Movement of wedge 168 will cause the rising or lowering of head 162. A second fixed crimping die 174 is secured to plate 22 and cooperates with crimping head 162. A spacer member 176 separates the crimping dies 174 and 96. Adjacent to die 174 is the movable shear assembly 178, best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8. The assembly comprises a central support 180 having end portions 182 and 184 secured thereto. The assembly is mounted for vertical reciprocating movement and is biased upwardly by a spring 186. The upper surface 188 of support 180 constitutes an impact surface and lies beneath one end 190 of crimping head 162. Upon descent of head 162 the end 190 will contact surface 188 and drive the shear assembly downward. The crimping die 174 is received in a channel 192 formed in the support 180. A shear member 194 is secured to end portion 182 by screws 196 and a shear member 198 is secured to end portion 184 by screws 200. The crimping die 174 has shear faces 202 and 204 at opposite ends of its upper surface. Shear member 194 has a shear face 206 and shear member 198 has a shear face 208. Upon descent of shear assembly 178 the shear faces 202 and 206 cooperate to cut the insulating strip along line 210 and shear faces 204 and 208 cooperate to cut the insulating strip along line 212. Located on the opposite side of shear assembly 178 from crimping die 174 is a shear member 214 secured to block by a pin 216. An L-shaped spring plate 218 (see FIG. 3), secured to block 110 by screw 220, urges the shear member 214 into engagement with the shear assembly 178 and also serves to prevent any rocking movement of the assembly 178. The shear member 214 has lower surfaces 216 and 218 which cooperate with surfaces 220 and 222 on end portions 184 and 182 respectively to limit the upward movement of assembly 178. A pair of shear faces 224 and 226 are formed in the upper surface of shear member 214. Shear member 198 has a second shear face 228 and shear member 194 has a second shear face 230. When the shear assembly 178 is moved downwardly, shear faces 226 and 228 cooperate to sever one of the carrier strips along line 232 and shear faces 218 and 230 cooperate to sever the other carrier strip 160. Support is provided with bevelled surfaces 233 to provide a passageway for the discharge of the severed portions of the carrier strips.

The transfer assembly E is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. A support 234 is secured to plate 22 by screws 236 and a doubleaction fluid cylinder 238 is secured to support 234 by mounting screws 240. An adjustable stop member 242 is secured to the piston 244 of cylinder 238 by a set screw 246. The stop 242 limits the rearward movement of piston 244 and has a bifurcated end to receive a rod 248 secured to support 234. The rod 248 serves to prevent any rotative movement of piston 244. A mounting block 250 is threadably secured to piston 244 and held in adjusted position by nut 252. The block 250 pivotally carries a pair of arms 254 and 256. The arm 254 is biased in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 1, by a spring 258 fastened at its ends to an ear 260 on arm 254 and an ear 262 on block 250. Arm 254 has an upstanding end portion 264 which serves to transfer a conductor 266 (see FIG. 2) from station A to station B. The other arm 256 is biased counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3, by a spring 268 fastened at its ends to an ear 270 on arm 256 and an ear 272 on block 250. The arm 256 has an end portion 274 having a groove 276 adapted to fit over the tongue portion of a terminal and transfer the terminal from station A to station B. A pin 278 (see also FIG. 2) extends laterally from the arm 256 into the plane occupied by the shear blade 82. Upon retraction of arm 256 the pin 278 will contact blade 82 and pivot the blade out of cutting position into the dotted line position shown in FIG. 6, for a purpose to be described later. A bracket 280 is secured to bracket 24 by screw 282 and has an upper U- shaped portion 284. One leg 286 of portion 284 serves as a stripper for the conductor 266 upon raising the ram 72. The other leg 288 serves the dual purpose of stripping the terminal from crimping head 162 and also of forming a guideway 290 for the am 256.

FIG. 3 shows the microswitches for controlling the operation of the device. A bracket 292 is secured to plate 22 by screws 294. A pair of microswitches 294 and 295 are secured to bracket 292 by screws 296 and have spring arms 298 and 299, the latter being hidden in FIG. 3, carrying rollers 300 and 301. The arms 298 and 299 depress switches 302 for controlling the fluid flow to the various cylinders in a manner to be described. A bracket 304 is secured to block 74 and carries switch contacting cams 306 and 308. The cams 306 and 308 are adjustable in elongated slots 310 in bracket 304 (see FIG. 7) to vary the timing of the machine. A third microswitch 312 is secured to bracket 292 and carries a spring arm 314 and a roller 316. A switch contacting cam 318 is carried on stop member 242 of transfer assembly E. Upon reciprocation of the transfer cylinder piston 244 the cam 318 will contact roller 316 and actuate microswitch 312 to control the flow of fluid into cylinder 40 in a manner to be now described.

FIG. 10 shows schematically the fluid flow to the various cylinders in the device. Fluid enters the system via a conduit 320 from a fluid source (not shown) and enters solenoid controlled valve 322. The valve 322 is movable between a first position shown in full lines and a second position shown in dotted lines. When valve 322 is in its first position the fluid will flow from conduit 320 into branch 324, which branch communicates with the rear of cylinder 120 by means of artery 326 and with the rear of cylinder 238 by means of artery 328. Branch 324 terminates in a second solenoid controlled normally closed valve 330. When valve 322 is in its second position the fluid will flow from conduit 320 into branch 332, which branch communicates with the front of cylinder 120 by means of artery 334, with the front of cylinder 40 by means of artery 336, and with the front of cylinder 238 by means of branch 332. The valve 330 is movable-between a first position shown in full lines and a second normally closed position shown in dotted lines. When valve 330 is in its first position, there is communication between branch 324 and artery 338 whereby fluid is introduced into the rear of cylinder 40, whereas when valve 330 is in its second position the fluid in branch 324 is blocked and cannot enter cylinder 40. Valve 322 is controlled by microswitches 294 and 295 through suitable wiring 340 while valve 330 is controlled by microswitch 312 through suitable wiring 342.

The sequence of operation of the above fluid system will now be described. Starting with the ram in the down position, the valves 322 and 330 will be in their dotted line position so that fluid will be in communication with the front of cylinders 120, 40 and 238 causing their respective pistons 124, 46 and 244 to be in their retracted position. As the ram ascends and nears its upper limit the cam 306 will contact roller 300 of microswitch 294 causing valve 322 to shift to its full line position thereby affording communication between conduit 320 and branch 324. Fluid in branch 324 will enter arteries 326 and 328 causing pistons 124 and 244 to move to their extended position. As piston 244 moves to its extended position the cam 318 fixed to said piston will contact roller 316 of microswitch 312 causing valve 330 to momentarily shift to its full line position. This will cause fluid flow into the rear of cylinder 40 and thereby cause the piston 46 to move to its extended position. The valve 330 will then immediately return to its normally closed position. Upon the next descent of the ram 72, and near the lower limit of its stroke, the cam 308 will contact the roller 310 of microswitch 295 causing valve 322 to shift back to its dotted line position whereby fluid will flow through branch 332 causing fluid to enter the front of cylinders 120, 40 and 238 whereby their respective pistons will again be retracted.

FIG. 11 shows the completed product made by the method and apparatus of the present invention. A terminal 346 has its ferrule portion 348 crimped to the bare wire 350 of a stripped electrical conductor 352. An insulating member 354 has its ends 356 crimped around the ferrule 348 and conductor 352 to produce an insulated electrical connection.

The overall operation of the device will now be described. A strip of terminals is placed in feed assembly C with terminal 66 in crimping position at station A. A strip of insulating members is placed in feed assembly D with the member at the lead end of the strip positioned to the left of station B as viewed in FIG. 1. The ram 72 starts in the up position so assemblies C, D and E are all in their extended position. The conductor 266 is placed in position at station A in the region bounded by the ferrule of terminal 66 and the crimping head 80. The operator then starts the machine, by depressing a foot pedal or the like, and the ram begins its descent. As the ram descends the crimping head loosely engages the terminal 66, and the shear member 82 severs terminal 66 from the remainder of the strip. As the ram 72 continues to descend cam 308 contacts roller 301 causing microswitch 295 to swing the valve 322 into the dotted line position of FIG. 10. This causes assemblies C,

D and E to move to their retracted position. During retraction v the feed finger 60 will ride over the terminals on the strip, the arm 256 will ride over and onto terminal 66, and arm 254 will swing downwardly under conductor 266. The head 80 then crimps the terminal 66 to conductor 266. During a crimping operation there is a certain amount of extrusion which takes place as a result of the compressing of the material. Therefore, terminal 66 will elongate during crimping and provision must be made to allow for this elongation. It is for this purpose that shear blade 82 has a recessed portion 86 to partially compensate for this extruding effect. Also, the pin 278 on arm 256 will contact the shear blade 82 during the retraction of arm 256 and swing the blade out of cutting position to provide ample clearance for the elongation of the terminal and for the latters subsequent transfer. The ram next ascends causing cam 306 to contact roller 300 causing microswitch 294 to shift to its full line position of FIG. 10 thus causing assembly D to feed an insulating member into position at station B and assembly E to transfer the crimped terminal and conductor into position at station B above the insulating member. When the arm 256 is approximately midway between stations A and B the end portion 274 will have moved away from station A where it would have blocked the feed in of another terminal. At this point the cam 318 will contact roller 316 causing microswitch 312 to momentarily swing valve 330 into its full line position of FIG. 10 thus causing assembly C to feed terminal 68 into position at station A. When the operator again depresses the foot pedal or the like the ram 72 will descend causing blade 82 to sever terminal 68 from the terminal strip and causing crimping head 80 to crimp terminal 68 to a second conductor which has been positioned at station A. In this embodiment the conductors are positioned by hand although obviously there could be suitable mechanism for performing this function. At the same time that terminal 68 is being crimped the crimping head 162 is crimping the insulating member to terminal 66 and the shear assembly 178 is severing the insulating member from its strip. The cycle is then repeated. It can be seen, therefore, that on each descent of the ram 72 two complete operations are performed whereby an insulating member is crimped to the terminal which was crimped on the preceding stroke of the ram. Thus there is no loss of time over a single stage operation wherein both the terminal and insulating member would be crimped together. Also, by adjustment of head 162 relative to head 80 it is possible to independently vary the crimping pressure of the insulation member relative to that of the terminal.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently difierent modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective against the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for severing an article from the lead end of a strip to which said article is attached, said apparatus comprising a ram, means for reciprocating said ram, a cutting blade pivotally secured to said ram, means biasing said cutting blade into an operative position on said ram, a fixed cutting die cooperating with said cutting blade, for performing a shearing operation, means for conveying away the product of said said slot constituting shearing surfaces, said slot pennitting the pivotal movement of said cutting blade. 

1. Apparatus for severing an article from the lead end of a strip to which said article is attached, said apparatus comprising a ram, means for reciprocating said ram, a cutting blade pivotally secured to said ram, means biasing said cutting blade into an operative position on said ram, a fixed cutting die cooperating with said cutting blade, for performing a shearing operation, means for conveying away the product of said shearing operation and movable between a product receiving and a product delivering position, means on said conveying means for contacting said cutting blade and pivoting said cutting blade to an inoperative position against the force of said biasing means, said blade contacting means being operative to pivot said cutting blade upon movement of said conveying means to said product receiving position and prior to completion of movement of said ram in a cutting stroke.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cutting die has a slot therein for reception of said cutting blade, edges of said slot constituting shearing surfaces, said slot permitting the pivotal movement of said cutting blade. 